Nectarine tree named ‘CAKESNOW’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of white flat nectarine tree denominated ‘CAKESNOW’ has fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a very well closed pistil cavity, a semi-sweet white flesh with a red pigmentation around the stone, and an attractive luminous skin with a high percentage of purple red blush on skin surface, on a red background.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.

Variety denomination: ‘CAKESNOW’.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No.2016/2952 filed on Nov. 25, 2016 which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of whiteflat nectarine tree, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, which has been giventhe variety denomination ‘CAKESNOW’.

This new tree produces fruits with a long shelf life without alterationboth on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, very goodeating quality, semi-clingstone white flesh fruits with a very slightlyred pigmentation around the stone, for fresh market in the middle or atthe end of July in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘CAKESNOW’ white flat nectarine tree originated from a cultivatedarea of the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department,where it was tested.

This place is under a Mediterranean climate (a temperate area), on theMediterranean coastline. Winters are gentle and summers warm and dry.The amount of days with temperatures below 7° Celsius can vary between600 and 1200 hours per year. The place is sunny, with 2400 to 2800 hoursof sunny days per year on average. The prevailing wind is called‘Tramontane’: it dries the air, clears the sky from clouds, but itsintensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruit quantity and/orquality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations areirregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount ofrainy days does not exceed 80 days per year, and are mostly found inSpring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitationsoccasionally happen. Summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

The ‘CAKESNOW’ variety results from controlled cross between the‘NECTARRELIE’ white nectarine tree (not patented) which was used as theseed parent and the ‘CAKEDELICE’ white flat nectarine tree (notpatented) which was used as the pollen parent.

The ‘CAKESNOW’ variety was obtained by hybridizing and propagated bygrafting on a ‘INRA® GF677’ (non-patented) rootstock trees. It has beendetermined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making itworthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effectsof the standard rootstock trees set forth above on the scion cultivar.Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and allcharacteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plantwas reproduced asexually by us in Les Régalines, Route d'Alenya, LaPrade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées-Orientales, France. Moreparticularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety ‘CAKESNOW’ white flat nectarine tree bloomsat the end of February or in March near Elne in the Pyrénées-Orientalesdepartment, France. The blooming period is considered medium. However,it was observed that its late date of blooming seems to be highlydependant on climatic conditions.

The first fruit of ‘CAKESNOW’ ripens generally at medium season, in themiddle or at the end of July. More particularly, it usually ripensbetween July 11^(th) and July 24^(th). However, it was observed that itsdate of maturity seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph which shows a view of a tree of the newvariety in orchard, bearing fruits.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows a close view of a typicalspecimen of a fruit of the variety ‘CAKESNOW’ on the tree in orchard.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph which depicts the flower buds at differentdevelopment stages, and the reverse and side view of the flower and thereproductive organs with petals removed, of the new variety.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph that shows a close view of three typicalspecimens of the fruit of the new variety ‘CAKESNOW’ at ripening time,one fruit having been cut in half with the pit being left in one of thehalves for depicting leaves, fruit flesh, pit and pit cavity of the newvariety.

FIG. 5 is a color photograph that shows a close view of typicalspecimens of the fruit of the new variety ‘CAKESNOW’ at ripening time.

FIG. 6 is a color photograph of the stone of the new variety and thekernel of the stone.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the flowers,stones and fruits depicted in these photographs may or may not beaccurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variationsin soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potentialfor commercial production of fresh fruits by ‘CAKESNOW’ is high, due tofruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-flared outaspect. The anthocyanic coloration of flowering shoot is presentexcluding brushwood side away from sun. The time of beginning offlowering is considered medium; flowering begins at the end of Februaryor in March. The type of flower is showy with medium petal size. Petalsare medium pink. Leaf glands are present and reniform. The fruit fleshis white and generally with a red pigmentation around the stone cavity.The fruit skin is very thick, with a luminous purple red blush on a redbackground. The stone is semi-clingstone and the size is small. Fruittaste is semi-sweet, very aromatic and with a high level of sugars.

Compared to ‘CAKEREDAL’ white flat nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No23,358), the fruits of ‘CAKESNOW’ variety ripen approximately at thesame time. The fruits from ‘CAKESNOW’ variety are rounder and moreregular than fruits from ‘CAKEREDAL’ variety. ‘CAKESNOW’ fruits show amore intense color, a luminous purple red on the whole fruit skin,whereas the fruits of ‘CAKEREDAL’ have a dark red color covering 80 to90% of the skin surface on a cream pink red background. ‘CAKESNOW’fruits show a very well closed pistil cavity. In comparison, the‘CAKEREDAL’ fruits possess a pistil cavity barely closed.

Compared to the seed parent ‘NECTARRELIE’ (not patented), the newvariety named ‘CAKESNOW’ is a white flat nectarine whereas ‘NECTARRELIE’is a white round nectarine. ‘NECTARRELIE’ is much earlier than‘CAKESNOW’ as its fruit generally ripen 1 month earlier.

Compared to the pollen parent ‘CAKEDELICE’ white flat nectarine tree(not patented), the new variety named ‘CAKESNOW’ generally ripens 1 weekearlier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of white flat nectarine tree, the following wasobserved on trees in their fourth growing season (third year ofproduction) under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchardslocated near the town of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France.All observations have been done on rootstock cultivars. Used rootstockswere ‘INRA® GF677’ (non-patented) trees. All major color codedesignations are by reference to The R.H.S. Colour Chart (FourthEdition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—        -   Generally.—Considered large. The tree size the first year            was approximately 200 to 280 cm. The tree was pruned during            each following dormant season to a height of approximately            250 cm. Current season shoots growth could reach 80 cm. The            tree size from the second year (second and next years)            reached a final height of 330 cm including current season            shoots length. The tree size is consistently reduced to 250            cm the next years.        -   Spread.—Approximately 100 cm with a cylindrical shape. The            whole orchard was oriented to a central leader organization,            with tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0            meter in a same tree line. As a result, tree spread was            about 100 cm and the orchard contained 2500 trees by            hectare.        -   Vigor.—Considered medium.        -   Productivity.—The productivity is considered good to very            good and regular. Fruit set is spaced by thinning to develop            the remaining fruit into the desired market sized fruit. The            number of the fruit set varies with the prevailing climatic            conditions and cultural practices employed during the bloom            period, and is therefore not distinctive of the present            variety. A reduced vegetation, obtained with pruning or            green pruning, approximately 1 month or 1 month ½ before            harvesting flat fruits, significantly promotes fruit            qualities, especially growth, color and firmness. Moreover,            contamination risks due to monilia or rot are significantly            reduced. ‘CAKESNOW’ variety is not much sensitive to            cracking of pistil cavity, to cork formation into peduncle            cavity or to monilia.        -   Bearer.—Very regular. The fruit distribution is considered            homogenous on mixed branches and spurs having more than 1            year. Thinning of 2 fruits out of 3 was necessary for the            tree valorisation. Thinning was necessary every year during            the years of observation.        -   Form.—The ‘CAKESNOW’ variety has naturally a semi-flared            shape.        -   Density.—Considered dense.        -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in            France. The variety appears to be hardy under the central            Pyrénées-Orientales departement typical climatic conditions.            Experimentations on different sites with winter chilling            requirement comprised between 350 hours and 1200 hours            showed a good behaviour of the tree in all cases.            Traditionally, flat fruits are more sensitive to critical            low temperatures and to climatic variations, because of the            flower morphology in which the ovule is less protected than            in the classical round fruits. Thus, areas not much exposed            to frost are recommended for trees growth. However            ‘CAKESNOW’ trees seem to be very resistant to critical            frosty weather.-   Trunk:    -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 40.0 to 45.0 millimeters in diameter            when measured at a distance of approximately 20.0            centimeters above the soil level.        -   Bark texture.—Considered rough, with lenticels.        -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present. The number of            lenticels reaches 4 lenticels per cm². The lenticels range            in size of approximately from 3.0 to 3.8 millimeters in            width, and about 1.5 to 1.9 millimeters in height.        -   Lenticel color.—The lenticels have a beige to orange color            (RHS Greyed Orange 164 B or RHS Greyed Orange 164 C).        -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a grey color at its base (RHS            Grey 201 A or RHS Grey 201 B) to brown (RHS Grey Brown N 199            A or RHS Grey Brown N 199 B), darker than the lenticels            color.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—The branches are pruned to approximately 1.0 meter in            length.        -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other nectarine varieties.            The current season shoots have a diameter of about 4.0 to            6.0 millimeters, and mature branches have a diameter of            about 8.0 to 10.0 millimeters.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth for current season shoots and rough,            with lenticels, for mature branches, wood which is several            years old has no furrowed appearance.        -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but            the crotch angles are generally of 50 degrees from the            horizontal axis. This particular characteristic is not            considered distinctive of the variety, however.        -   Current season shoots.—        -   Internode length.—Generally 14.0 to 20.0 millimeters.        -   Color.—The color of new shoot tips is considered green (RHS            Yellow Green 144 B or RHS Yellow Green 144 C) on lower part            of new shoot tips, whereas the upper part is darker and            colored in brown-purple (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A), depending            on the level on the tip and the sunlight exposure.        -   Mature branches.—        -   Internode length.—Generally 21.0 to 25.0 millimeters.        -   Color of mature branches.—Brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A or RHS            Grey Brown N 199 A).        -   Lenticels.—Lenticels are present on mature branches. The            number of lenticels reaches 2 lenticels per cm². The size of            lenticels is considered small. The lenticels range in size            from approximately 1.7 to 2.2 millimeters in width, and            about 1.0 to 1.2 millimeters in height. The lenticel shape            is stretched.        -   Lenticel color.—The lenticels on mature branches have a            beige color (RHS Greyed Orange 164 C or RHS Greyed Orange            164 D).-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium for the species. The ratio leaf            length/leaf width is 4.59.        -   Leaf length.—Approximately 145.0 to 162.0 millimeters with            leaf petiole. The medium length is about 155.2 millimeters.        -   Leaf width.—Approximately 31.0 to 36.0 millimeters. The            medium width is 33.8 millimeters.        -   Leaf base shape.—Concave.        -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.        -   Leaf tip form.—Short, pointed and acuminate.        -   Leaf color.—        -   Upper leaf surface.—Dark Green (RHS Green 137 A).        -   Lower surface.—A lighter green (RHS Yellow Green 146 A) than            the upper leaf surface color.        -   Leaf texture.—Smooth and glabrous.        -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.        -   Mid-vein.—        -   Color.—Light green, almost cream white (RHS Yellow Green            145D). The color may evolve with maturity.        -   Leaf margins.—Slightly undulating.        -   Form.—Considered slightly dentate.        -   Uniformity.—Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In            this last case, one leaf of normal size is found with one or            two smaller leaves (at least 50% smaller).        -   Leaf petioles.—        -   Size.—Considered medium.        -   Length.—About 12.0 to about 14.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—About 2.0 millimeters.        -   Petioles color.—        -   Upper petiole surface.—Light green (RHS Yellow Green 144 B).        -   Lower surface.—Light green (RHS Yellow Green 145 B).        -   Leaf glands.—        -   Size.—Considered medium. Their length is about 1.5            millimeters and their width is about 1.0 millimeter.        -   Number.—Generally 2 glands per leaf.        -   Type.—Reniform.        -   Margins.—Smooth and regular.        -   Color.—On young leaves, leaf gland color is considered a            light green (RHS Green 145 B). On older leaves, leaf gland            color turns to a dark brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to RHS            Grey Brown 199 B).        -   Leaf stipules.—        -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed. But as seen in            the characteristic relative to the leaves uniformity, it is            possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or 3, with a            normal-size leaf and smaller ones.-   Flowers:    -   -   Flower buds.—        -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral            buds are conic in form with a round tip. Their form is            evolving until blooming, with variable dimensions. Just            before blooming, floral buds are approximately 8.0 to 10.0            millimeters wide and approximately 16.0 to 20.0 millimeters            long.        -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity            to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development (stage A), the            bottom of the flowers buds, formed by the sepals, is of            purple-brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A) on their outer            surface, and yellow green (RHS Yellow Green 146 C) on their            inner surface. The corolla, formed by the petals, is            generally of medium pink color (RHS Red Purple 65 B) on both            faces. Petal color shows an evolution until the end of            flowering.        -   Hardiness.—The buds are considered hardy under typical            central Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions.            No winter injury was noted during the last several years of            evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales departement,            with winter temperatures as low as −10 degrees Celsius in            January. The current variety has not been intentionally            subjected to drought or heat stress, but the variety showed            a very good resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42            degrees Celsius with an average temperature between 28 and            30 degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in summer.        -   Date of bloom.—The blooming time generally begins at the end            of February or in March. The first bloom was observed on            Mar. 16, 2015.        -   Blooming time.—Considered medium in relative comparison to            other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in the            Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of full            bloom is observed generally at the middle of the blooming            period. The date of bloom varies slightly with climatic            conditions and cultural practices. Thus the full bloom was            observed in 2015, from March 16^(th) until March 25^(th),            then from February 28^(th) until Mar. 6, 2016 and then from            February 28^(th) until Mar. 8, 2017.        -   Duration of bloom.—Medium. Approximately between 8 to 10            days. This characteristic varies slightly with the            prevailing climatic conditions.        -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type            flower.        -   Flower size.—Considered medium. Flower diameter at full            bloom is approximately 32.0 to 36.0 millimeters.        -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant, approximately between            35 and 45 flowers per meter, with a high rate of fruit set.            The bloom is heterogeneous, and the bloom quantity is more            important on the top of the tree.        -   Flower bud frequency.—Generally 2 flower buds appear per            node, occasionally 1.        -   Petal size.—        -   Generally.—Considered medium.        -   Length.—Generally between 17.0 and 20.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Generally between 16.0 and 19.0 millimeters.        -   Petal form.—Round-shaped.        -   Petal count.—Generally 5.        -   Petal texture.—Smooth and soft.        -   Petal color.—At the stage F of blooming, when the flower is            fully opened, both surfaces of the petal are colored with a            medium Pink (RHS Red Purple 65 A or RHS Red Purple 65 B or            RHS Red Purple 65C or RHS Red Purple 65 D) when young,            becoming slightly darker until the end of blooming.        -   Fragrance.—Sweet to moderate.        -   Petal claw.—        -   Form.—The claw is considered to have a narrow form.        -   Color.—Dark pink (RHS Red Purple 61 B), darker than the            petal color.        -   Length.—About 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—About 1.0 to 1.5 millimeter at the base.        -   Petal margins.—Generally considered wavy, sinuate.        -   Petal apex.—        -   Generally.—The petal apices are generally wide dome-shaped.        -   Flower pedicel.—        -   Length.—Considered medium and having an average length of            approximately 3.0 to 4.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Considered average, approximately 1.0 to 1.5            millimeters.        -   Color.—Green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A).        -   Calyx.—        -   Internal surface texture.—Smooth and glabrous.        -   Color.—At the stage F of blooming, when the flower is            opened, the inner surface of the calyx, namely the flower            receptacle, is greenish yellow to slightly orange (RHS            Yellow Green 153 C or RHS Yellow Green 153 D). The outer            surface of the calyx is considered of purple-brown (RHS            Greyed Purple 183 A or RHS Greyed Purple 187 B) color.        -   Sepals.—        -   Sepal count.—5.        -   Surface texture.—The outer surface has a short, fine            pubescent texture.        -   Margins.—Smooth.        -   Size.—Medium.        -   Length.—Approximately 5.0 to 6.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters.        -   Form.—Conic and generally with a round tip.        -   Color.—At pre-floral stage of development (stage A) the            sepals are colored in purple-brown color (RHS Greyed Purple            183 A) on their outer surface, and yellow green (RHS Yellow            Green 146 C) on their inner surface. At the stage F of            blooming, the inner surface of the sepals is considered            greenish yellow (RHS Yellow Green 153 C or RHS Yellow Green            153 D or RHS Yellow Green 147 C). The outer surface of the            sepals is considered of purple-brown color (RHS Greyed            Purple 183 A or RHS Greyed Purple 187 B).        -   Average number of stamens per flower.—Approximately 29 to 40            stamens per flower.        -   Anthers.—        -   Generally.—Medium in length.        -   Color.—At an early stage of maturity, anthers are colored            with an orange yellow (RHS Yellow Orange 16 A to RHS Yellow            Orange 16 B) or an orange red to red color (RHS Red Group            N34 A or RHS Greyed Red Group 178 A or RHS Red 47 A). The            color may evolve with maturity to turn in a yellow color.        -   Shape.—Cordate.        -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has an orange            yellow color (Approximately RHS Yellow Orange 15 B or RHS            Yellow Orange 17 B or RHS Yellow Orange 17 C) which may            evolve with maturity. The present variety is considered            auto-fertile (self-pollinating).        -   Filaments.—        -   Size.—Medium length, between 12.0 and 16.0 millimeters in            length. Filament length is generally slightly higher than            the pistil's length.        -   Color.—Considered white (RHS White 155 D) or pale pink (RHS            Red Purple 62 C or RHS Red Purple 62 D or RHS Red Purple            69 C) or darker pink (RHS Red Purple 73 A to RHS Red Purple            73 B). The color becomes darker during the blooming.        -   Pistil.—        -   Number.—Usually 1, sometimes more than one.        -   Generally.—Average in size.        -   Length.—Approximately 12.0 to 18.0 millimeters including the            ovary. Generally smaller than stamen length.        -   Color.—Considered a very pale green (RHS Yellow Green Group            151 D) at the beginning of the blooming. The color evolves            during the blooming, becoming more light (RHS Yellow Green            150 D or RHS Yellow Green 151 D) and sometimes very slightly            pink (RHS Red Group 36D) at the end of the blooming.        -   Ovary.—        -   Pubescence.—Absent.        -   Height.—Between 1.5 and 2.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Between 1.5 and 2.0 millimeters.        -   Color.—Green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A or RHS Yellow Green 145            B).        -   Stamen.—Size compared to petals. — The size of stamen is            smaller than the size of petals.        -   Stigma.—        -   Position compared to anthers.—The stigma is below the            anthers.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 1.0 millimeter.        -   Color.—Greenish Yellow (RHS Yellow Green 151 D).-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Very firm in ripe conditions            (shipping ripe).        -   Date of first picking.—Jul. 11, 2014.        -   Date of last picking.—The date of harvest varies slightly            with the prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘CAKESNOW’            variety has a medium date of picking, and a grouped            maturity. The maturity is grouped within 8 to 12 days and            the harvest is generally performed in two runs. Last known            picking times carry on July 11^(th) to Jul. 18, 2014, then            on July 20^(th) to Jul. 31, 2015, then on July 24^(th) to            Jul. 31, 2016 and then on July 17^(th) to Jul. 23, 2017.        -   Size.—        -   Generally.—Homogeneous in size. Considered medium to large.        -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 68.0 to 74.0            millimeters.        -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 43.0 to 48.0            millimeters.        -   Typical weight.—Generally about 125.0 to 150.0 grams. This            characteristic is highly dependent upon the prevailing            cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly            distinctive of the variety.        -   Fruit form.—        -   Generally.—Round and flattened, generally with few bumps.            The fruit is generally uniform in symmetry, viewed from the            suture's plane.        -   Suture.—        -   Fruit suture.—Wide-mouthed and slightly marked, extending            from the base to the apex. No apparent callousing or            stitching exists along the suture line. Not pointed.        -   Color.—The suture has generally a similar color to the whole            fruit color, a luminous purple red (RHS Greyed Purple 187            B).        -   Ventral surface.—        -   Form.—Smooth.        -   Apex.—Slightly depressed.        -   Base.—Semi-flared, shallow.        -   Stem cavity.—Average depth of the stem cavity is about 9.0            to 11.0 millimeters. Average width is about 16.0 to 20.0            millimeters.        -   Fruit skin.—        -   Thickness.—Considered thick and strong, and the adherence of            skin to flesh is strong to medium, depending on the fruit            maturity.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Taste.—Semi-sweet, sugary.        -   Tendency to crack.—None observed.        -   Color.—        -   Blush color.—This blush color is a luminous purple red (RHS            Greyed Purple 187 B). The purple red blush covers 85% of the            fruit skin surface on a red background (RHS Greyed Red            180 A) on approximately 15% of the fruit skin surface. The            percentage of the blush on the fruit skin surface can vary,            and is generally dependant upon the prevailing conditions            under which the fruit was grown.        -   Ground color.—The ground color covers approximately 15% of            the fruit skin surface, and is considered red (RHS Greyed            Red 180 A).        -   Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 6.0 to 7.0            millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 4.0 millimeters.        -   Color.—Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A).        -   Flesh.—        -   Ripens.—Very homogenously, slowly. The flesh has a long            shelf life.        -   Texture.—Very firm, very dense, crunchy, melting, juicy at            harvest maturity stage.        -   Fibers.—Not fibrous.        -   Aroma.—Very pronounced.        -   Eating quality.—Considered very good, aromatic.        -   Flavor.—Considered semi-sweet. The Brix is generally            superior to 13 and acidity comprised between 6 and 9 meq/100            ml.        -   Juice.—Juicy to very juicy at complete maturity.        -   Brix.—Generally 14.0 to 16.0 degrees. This characteristic            varies slightly with the number of fruit per tree;            prevailing cultural practices; and the surrounding climatic            conditions.        -   Flesh color.—White flesh (RHS White 155 A), usually with a            slightly red pigmentation (RHS Red 53 B) around the stone,            on approximately 5.0 millimeters.-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Semi-Clingstone, more or less semi-adherent depending            on the fruit maturity.        -   Size.—Considered small for the variety. The stone size            varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop            load and prevailing growing conditions.        -   Length.—Approximately 14.0 to 15 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 20.0 to 21.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 20.0 to 21.0 millimeters.        -   Form.—Flattened.        -   Base.—Straight.        -   Apex.—        -   Shape.—The stone apex is flattened.        -   Stone cavity.—Considered small in size, with flattened form            and dimensions corresponding to the stone's dimensions.        -   Stone surface.—        -   Surface texture.—The pit is transversely furrowed on its            entire surface. Furrows are deeper and more oblate on            lateral sides.        -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by            more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and at the            apical tip.        -   Ventral edge.—        -   Width.—Approximately 3.0 millimeters at mid-suture.        -   Dorsal edge.—        -   Shape.—Grooved.        -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is generally            considered light orange brown (RHS Greyed Orange 164 C or            RHS Greyed Orange 164 D).        -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is very low or absent,            depending on climatic conditions between blooming period and            stone hardening.        -   Kernel.—        -   Size.—The kernel is considered small.        -   Length.—Approximately 9.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 9.0 millimeters.        -   Thickness.—Approximately 6.0 millimeters.        -   Form.—Considered flattened and elliptic. Sometimes double.        -   Pellicle.—The pellicle of the kernel has a short pubescence.        -   Color.—The kernel skin is yellow colored (RHS Yellow 11D).            The almond, which is the seed of the kernel, is white (RHS            White 155 D) and has a bitter taste. The kernel and its            embryo are mature at the time of fruit maturity.        -   Use.—The subject variety ‘CAKESNOW’ is considered to be a            white flat nectarine tree of the medium season of maturity,            and which produces fruits that are considered firm,            attractively colored with a very luminous purple red and            with a very well closed pistil cavity. Fruits have a            semi-sweet taste and are excellent for uncooked consumption,            crunchy or melting when at full maturity. Fruits have            excellent gustative qualities. Due to their flesh quality,            firmness and density, they can also be commercialized as            4^(th) range product (packed fruit or fruit in bags for            example). And they are also useful for both local and very            long distance shipping.        -   Keeping quality.—Remarkable. Fruit have a slow maturation            and a long shelf life both on the tree after growth            completion and after harvesting without alteration. After            growth completion, fruits are preserved more than one week.            After harvest, fruits are well preserved more than 4 weeks            at 2.0 degree Celsius.        -   Shipping quality.—Considered very good. The fruit of the new            white flat nectarine variety showed minimal bruising of the            flesh or skin damage after being subjected to normal            harvesting and packing procedures. Its resistance to            handling during harvest and packing and its long shelf life            without alteration after harvest easily permit 3 to 4            weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius.        -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular            susceptibilities were noted. The present variety is not very            sensitive to Monilia or rot. The pistil cavity is completely            closed, generally without any cork formation. Although the            new variety of white flat nectarine tree possesses the            described characteristics when grown under the ecological            conditions prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales            departement, France, it should be understood that variations            of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to            changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest            control and horticultural management are to be expected.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of white flat nectarine tree asillustrated and described, characterized by fruits with high eatingquality and very long shelf life without alteration before and afterharvesting, with a very well closed pistil cavity, a semi-sweet whiteflesh with a red pigmentation around the stone, and an attractiveluminous skin with a high percentage of purple red blush on skinsurface, on a red background.